The Effect of Aerobic Training on Serum Levels of Adiponectin, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Sperm Quality in Diabetic Rats

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the effects of aerobic training on adiponectin, sex hormones, and sperm parameters in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods: In this experiment, 52 eight-week-old Sprague Dawley rats (200-250 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic with aerobic training and healthy with aerobic training. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin solution. The aerobic training protocol was performed for ten weeks. Finally, blood serum samples were obtained to assess FSH, LH, testosterone, and adiponectin levels. Results: Results showed an increase in serum adiponectin levels in aerobic training group which led to a significant difference between aerobic training group and diabetic control group. In addition, aerobic training caused significant increase in serum testosterone level and LH in diabetic aerobic training group, so that significant differences were observed between serum testosterone, LH and FSH of diabetic aerobic training group and healthy control group. Sperm parameters in the diabetic aerobic training group including sperm count, motility and viability presented significant differences compared to diabetic control group. Conclusion: Short term aerobic training can improve serum adiponectin levels and sperm parameters, including sperm count and sperm motility through increasing serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels in type 2 diabetic rats.